ANNUAL BULLETIN

ANNUAL BULLETIN

198G-87

It is proposed to start a Dundee and Angus Bat Group. Anybody interested in becoming

i, volved in this active branch of wildlife conservation should contact Stewart Pritchard

at Nether Denork, Nr Strathkinness, Fife KY16 9TL or telephone 033485 370.

DUNDEE NATURALISTS' SOCIETY. No_qÿ

ANNUAL BULLETIN 1986-87

Hon. President:

Hon. Vice-Presidents:

President:

Vice-Presidents:

Dr. John Berry

Mr. James D. BoydDr. D.A. Robertson

Mr. Bÿian Allan (retires March 1987)

Hon. Secretary:

Editor:

Technical Convener:

Treasurer:

Excursion Secretary:

Miss E. KidneyMr. R. Brinklow

Mrs. Jean Pollard, 12 Hyndford Place,Dundee (Tel. 60336)

Mr. R.T. McLeod, 65 Johnston Avenue,Dundee (Tel. 825427)

Mr. J.K. Cook, 55 Strathern Road,Dundee (Tel. 78311)

Miss F. Towns, 37 Ancrum Drive, Dundee(Tel. 68720) (retires March 1987)

Mrs. I. Fraser, 3 Adderley Crescent,Momifieth (Tel. 53 2316)

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Dear friends,

This EGM sees the end of my three years as your President, an honour I will alwaysbe proud of. It seems like only yesterday that I first took up office. How time flies,The Society remains as popular as ever, with excellent turnouts to the summer outings andalso to our new venue for winter meetings in the University Tower building. This popul-:arity is certainly due to the continued high standard of our outings and evening lecturesThis leads me nicely into my thanks to the members of Council who have been wholly responÿ:ible for this high standard. Without their efforts and their willingness to spendcountless hours on Society business I am sure our group would not be the undoubtedsuccess it is to-day. At this point I would like to pay special thanks to our SecretaryJean Pollard who through thick and thin has guided me through these last three years, ajob not envied by anyone. Without her continued prompting the President's announcementsat the start of each evening meeting would be even more of a shambles than they are nowÿ

Another undoubted success of the last few years is the project to establish a naturereserve at Carsegowniemuir near Forfar. A project that I am sure would not have got offthe ground had it not been for Margaret Duncan and her fellow sub-committee members.Their constant enthusiasm for the project has spurred even me into helping with the tree-planting, which was the culmination of a lot of hard work on their part, and was carriedout last autumn. The need for more finance to continue this good work is of course stilJrequired and any donations should be handed to our Treasurer to add to the special accounÿset up for the Reserve. To help swell the total Dorothy Fyffe has very kindly offered tÿhost a plant and book sale in her garden in Carnoustie. Details of this is to be foundwith your Summer Syllabus. Donations of plants should be given to Dorothy and books forsale should be offered to myself. If help is required for transport of either plÿnts orbooks contact me at Dundee 533132 and I will try to assist. The profit, if any, fromthe sale of tea, coffee etc. at the AGM is also earmarked for the Reserve Fund.

Finally I would like to wish my successors on next year's Council my heartfelt bestwishes for the coming season when I am sure the standard of interesting outings andlectures will continue.

Kindest regards to you all.

7th February 1987.Brian Allan

@

Members will have noticed that the Society's cash balances have been tumbling downsteadily over the past few years. Last March the annual general meeting was warned toexpect a rise in membership fees. The Council has now decided that an increase of £Ito ÿis necessary with a Junior/student fee of ÿ and the members will be asked toapprove this increase at the March '87 AGM. It still seems a great bargain for aroundten talks/sllde shows and a whole summer of day outings, weekends and evening walks.(Note: Your new Treasurer from March 1987 will be Dr. C.D. Green, 24 Strawberrybank,Dundee, DD2, 1BH).

GLENESK 2__6th Apri!

On a dull uninspiring April morning a bus-load of enthusiastic Nats set off tounravel the mysteries of the Highland Boundary Fault. Once our destination had beenreached the party split into two cheerful groups with Dr. R.W. Duck from Dundee Universitÿblazing the trail at a pace which snails would envy, while I mopped up the stragglers atthe rear, using my trusty hammer in a fashion reminiscent of a shepherd using his crook.In some places a descent down the steep bank to the river was needed, with varying degreeÿof ease (I believe they are now going to make it an Olympic sport), which enabled Dr. ÿcÿto show off his amazing vocabulary, using words such as "rock" and "stone". Before toolong however the participants in this great event voted with their feet and defected frormy group to Dr. Duck, leaving me wlth a small but elite band of followers (the only peopÿstill left on my Christmas card list). The much requested break for lunch eventuallysame when we reached the Pillow Lavas of the Highland Border Series which was ratherappropriate since most people were asleep on their feet by this time anyway.

After our refreshing repast we continued our stroll, with the goog doctor taking ushither and thither in search of glacial and lacustrine beach deposits (code for an ale-:house) and some of us were even lucky enough to find a slow worm which was eager to bephotographed. Feeling fulfilled and inwardly contented we were then safely returned toDundee where we dispersed to our homes to thaw out around a blazing fire/candle (deleteas applica'le).

H.S.P. Petrie

OCHILS OUTING

A full busload of well-clad Naturalists made an early start to Dollar, to meet witha group of Edinburgh Naturalists for our annual joint outing. Looking at the sky andthinking how changeable the weather had been, we needed to be well protected. DollarGlen itself is also difficult of footing, even precipitous, but is much improved bywooden walkways and steps in places. And very interesting too, both geologically andbotanically, with sheer rock faces covered with masses of ferns, and steep little gulliescut along fault lines. Several of us searched unsuccessfully for filmy ferns. Howevera good find was made of a clump of Toothwort (Lathrea squamaria). This interestingplant exists without green leaves by being a parasite upon the roots of hazel and willow,the latter in the glen.

Some members visited the forbidding castle, situated magnificently at the top of theglen. Then the party split, some returning to walk along the railway while the others -hardier though not foolhardy - continued on to the open hills. Because of weather andsheep we walked a shorter route than originally planned but took time to investigate oldmine workings up the glen, and the flora of several marshy areas. The weather closed infor a time, confirming the choice of route, but we emerged out of the cloud in good timeto return to the buses and rejoin the rest of the party.

Unfortunately one of the Edinburgh group was found to be missing, but she wasretrieved eventually.

Jim Cook.

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MAY WEEKEND - NEWTONMORE

Good fortune smiled on the Society for their May weekend. Based at the BalavieHotel, Newtonmore, we were well positioned to face the Cairngorm gales, but as the weatherwas otherwise fair, we were indeed lucky.

This proved an ideal base, giving easy access to the Cairngorms. On Saturday morningMr. Laird, the Countryside Ranger, conducted the main party from Inverdruie to Loch anEilean, and had such a fund of knowledge to impart on both the wildlife and history of thearea, the route had to be somewhat curtailed.

Antique, but industrious anthills were brought to our attention; an unusual ladybirdshipped back for Mr. Garside's identification. The woodland walks were carpeted withPrimroses, Anemone Nemerosa, Oxalis acetosella, and the creeping trails of Linnea Borealismade the thought of a summer return to this area a promising one. Pyrola Rotundifoliawas identified beside the path near Loch Garten next morning.

The osprey was keeping out of sight during our visit to Loch Oarten on Sunday withthe R.S.P.B. guide. Not only did he help to identify the various habitats, but pointedout crossbills, crested tits, and showed how the area is being managed to provide ahabitat for wrens.

After a short visit to Landmark, the rest of the afternoon was spent at the KincraigWildlife Park, now under the auspices of the Royal Scottish Zoologicsl Society. On therather bleak crags there were some fine specimens of wildcat, lynx, owls and eagles.Some of the party were in time to see a newly-born St. Kilda lamb, and the antics of theotters were particularly entrancing.

The members are truly indebted to Mrs. Joan Thomson and Miss Eileen Kidney forarranging such a full and enjoyable weekend, and several people expressed the view thai, itwas a venue well worth a return visit.

L.F.

Trust our committee to come up with such an unusual and fascinating excursion'

On 31st Fay we were transported from a cool showery Scottish spring day into abeautiful tropical rain forestÿ No, we weren't hundreds of miles from home, only justoutside Edinburgh, on a visit to the Edinburgh Butterfly Farm, where an ideal environmenthas been created, in a huge glass house, for tropical butterflies to live. The house isfull of all sorts of beautiful flowering plants on which the butterflies and caterpillarsfeed, and it was a wonderful experience to stroll through this garden and watch thebutterflies flying around. Great attention has been paid to protecting the plants andbutterflies from pests and predators, and it was interesting to learn what is achievedwithout harmful chemicals. Firstly, when chrysalids are brought to the farm, they areput into an emerging cage and kept separate from the live stock in case they contain eggsof a parasite, and only when the butterfly appears is it released into the house. Tinywasps and mites though, are released into the house to control whitefly, and Australianladybirds control mealy-bugs and scale insects on the plants. There are also Chinesepainted quail living under the bushes. They feed on the ants and spiders that try tomake their homes in such a pleasant environment.

Another very interesting exhibit, but this time safely behind glass, was the creepycrawlies. Tarantulas, scorpions, locusts, praying mantis, stick insects and HUGE cock-:roaches to make you shiverÿ

(As a result of my visit my passion flower has been released from the confines of a potto grow freely in the greenhouse and already it is showing its appreciation by strivingto emulate the beautiful archway at the Butterfly Farm.)

D.F.

CRAIGMILL /

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CRAIGMILL on a SUMMER'S EVE.

The weather did not always shine on our 1986 evening outicgs, but Craigmill Den,Carnoustie, was the place to be on July ist. Ladybirds were the main object, and itwas gratifying to see so many children tumbling from the cars. Adam Garside andRichard Brlnklow were there to provide the expert guidance, plus nets and other gadgetsto terrify the ladybirds. Unfortunately, although it was a fine warm evening, not agreat many ladybirds were about. But there were lots of flowers along the pathwaysand the stream edge, and an instructive time was had by all. A moorhen was seen inthe den - it's a sad fact that the relative scarcity of this once so common bird makesthe sighting worthy of reporting.

R.T.M.

FALLS o_ÿ CLYDE.

Fortune favoured the Naturalists' visit to the Falls of Clyde nature reserve on12th July. Not only did the sun shine, but the falls, usually reduced to a trickleby the current being diverted to the power station turbines, were in full flow becauseof repairs to the plant. But what remains predominant in the memory was the hillside,cleared of conifers, now clothed with a dense mass of foxgloves. Happy were the Nats.who had cameras to catch the dazzling array of pinks and whites.

Bÿtanists and bird-lovers however, all spared some time to explore the millvillage of New Lanark, which has a large place in the social and industrial history ofScotland. Happily, much of the town has been restored over the last few years, andfamilies again live in the renovated tenements.

R.T.N.

SÿUARE BASHING.

There are several areas in Angus that have not been adequately recorded for the"Flora of Angus". One of them is in the north-east area of the county, around TarfsidelO-kilometer grid squares 48 and, especially, 58.

A busload of ardent botanists descended on the squares on the 26th of July. Wesplit up into three main groups and approached the square from different directions.The weather couldn't have been better for a day's moorland and hill botanising. Lotsof interesting, and notable, plants were found including the upland bog cranberry(Vaccinium microcarpum), mountain everlasting (Antennaria dixica), lesser twayblade(Listera cordata) and a variety of other orchids and the wintergreen (Pyrola minor).The real excitement came afterwards however. Richard Brinklow found bog orchid(Hammarbya paludosa), not only new for that square and the whole Glen Esk area, but thefirst sighting in the vice-county of Angus since 1974. A remarkable findÿ A total of91 species were recorded for square 58.

Many thanks are due to the willing and enthusiastic recorders for helping toimprove our knowledge of the botany of Angus. We must thank Brian Allan and JoanThomson as well as Richard Brinklow.

Jim Cook.

KINSHALDY CAPERS.

January 3, and the sun shone on the Naturalists (doesn't it always?). A goodlygroup gathered in the clearing in the pinewoods, where Brian and Jenny supplied a glassof mulled wine to start the day. Then it was off, in pairs, to hunt the shore and thewoods for the natural objects denoted in some convoluted clues. Back in an hour or soto join the chilled Allans minding the barbecue, and we all tucked in to gammon,bangers or sandwiches. The prizewinners of the day were Frances and Betty, Bob andPat, the glow of triumph muted by the rule - that the winners devise the quiz questionsfor next yearÿ

R.T.M.

t

CAMPS IE LINN

After a week of continuous rain, we were all raring to make the most of a good day,joining forces with the Perth Naturalists' Society at Campsle Linn on 9th August.

Due to a programme alteration on their part, there was time for a ramble throughDeuchney Woods before meeting them. With our picnic we were able to enjoy blaeberrlesand wild raspberries, but were unsuccessful in tracking down the "ancient" badger sett.How old is "ancient" in this context?

Along the verges of the fields and in the woods we found Circaea lutetiana, Linariavulgaris and Artemisia vulgaris. Those teaming up with the Perth Naturalists conducteda botanical survey.

For some members of the group it was disappointing that we had not been advisedfrom the outset that the terrain around Oampsie Linn was not only tricky, to say theleast, but unsuitable for such a large group. The resulting parting of the ways sawsmall groups following a diversity of paths - some descending into Perth via Kinnoull Hill,some walking via Moncrieffe Island to enjoy the riot of colour and hot sunshine inBranklyn Gardens, some to sample the novelty of a medieval market on the North Inch.

A pleasant relaxing day affording opportunities for entries on the BRISC card.

L.F.

BOTANIÿ BIRDS etc.

The winter programme covered a wide field, be inning on October 7th with Dr. J.Altringham dispelling all the fuss about bats. Then it was off to China on October 21stwith Lt. Cdr. E.F.B. Spragge in sparkling form as he followed the steps of George Forrest.Brian Allan and Niall Benvie combined on November 18th in a review of Tayside plants. ADundee man, Dr. Alan Barclay, came from his Loch of the Lowes base to talk on ecology onDecember 2nd; on the 16th of that month Mr. Adam Ritchie showed us some of the marvels ofthe Inca clvilisation as well as botanic specialties of the Peruvian Andes; and on January6th Fraser Kiddie poured forth the facts on bird ringing. Members' night on January 20thwas the usual intriguing mixture of slides, from butterflies to Central Asian architecture.Dr. Derek Robertson told us all about weeds on February 3rd.

THE FLORA of TAYPORT

Among the dedicated enthusiasts who work towards preservation of plant llfe are Dr.Kurt and Mrs. Elfriede Liebscher, valued members of our Society, from Tayport. Lastsummer they contacted their District Librarian with a view to displaying photographs withcaptions in Tayport Library, of the flora of the surrounding area. In this worthy pro-:ject they were assisted by their daughter Veronika. The librarian co-operated byintroducing additional books and material on wild flowers.

The exhibition ran from 9th to 27th June, designed to make people aware of thevariety of plants found locally and the need to protect some of these species. Thephotos of the common flowers were delightful and the Stinking Hellebore and Wood Vetchwell worth viewing. Rare local species include Twayblade (Listera ovata), Orpine(Sedum telephium) and Sea Pea (Lathyrus japonicus) which are not so widespread.

In the autumn the exhibition was transferred to the Natural History Museum inBarrack Street, Dundee.

J.Y.P.

Ladybirds /

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Ladybirdsÿ Ladybirdsÿ where have you_ÿ?

Many thanks to all those members who hunted for ladybirds last summer. Thecold damp spring had decimated the greenfly populations on which they feed sothe ladybirds (and ladybird hunters) had a very poor year.

No new species were discovered but eight of the ten species recorded prior tothe survey, were refound in 1986. Even the usually abundant 7-spot Ladybirdwas much scarcer than usual. However, recorders did mangage to spot them inover a hundred d&ffereÿt places (including one seen on a lady's headÿ), provingthis to be by far our most common and widespread species.

All the other species were found only after thorough searching. With lO recordseach, the distribution of the Cream Streaked, and Eyed Ladybirds seem to correlatewith that of coniferous woodland. Eyed Ladybirds were even found at the top of afifty-foot Spruce treeÿ

Of our two variable species, four different varieties of the lO-spot Ladybirdwere discovered although in numbers too small to show any differences in distributionor habitat. The two-spot Ladybird has many different forms, but, in ]986 only afew typical specimens were recorded.

Both the Three-Striped and the ]4-spot ladybird were found in a few places by"beating" woodland trees, both deciduous and coniferous, while 1986's rarestspecies, the l]-spot Ladybird was seen only once, at the top of the beach atTentsmuir in Fife. We think this species is confined to the coast as in previousyears it had been found at several places along the Angus coast.

The two species not refound in 1986, the 4-spot and 18-spot Ladybirds are boththought to be associated with conifers. They may both be rare in our area ormaybe they just prefer to live near the tops of the trees where few people havelooked for them.

Because last season's weather was so poor, the national survey is being continuedfor another year. So, please do keep providing the records during thecoming season and let's hope that this year the sun will shine on us and theladybirdsÿ

R. K. BRINKLOW & A, GARSIDE

WOODS SAVED.

Welcome news last summer was that Brighty Wood, Murroes, had been saved. The Wood-:land Trust completed the purchase deal and launched a fund to which Dundee DistrictCouncil voted £i000. Dundee Tree Group donated £250. Members' donations and fund-:raising has since added a similar sum. Mr. Morris.n, the Trust's developmentofficer, toured the wood with Mr. Eric Hamilton, district forestry officer, and theyare of opinion that very little needs to be done. On December 3rd fifty young treeswere planted, provided by the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board, to compensatefor some clearing under their high tension cables.

Meanwhile, the purchase of Huntly Wood, Longforgan, is only delayed by somelegal formalities.

It is good to know, too, that Methven Woods, mainly oak, is to become a naturere serve.

R.T.M.

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C A R S E G 0 W N I E M U I R Q U A R R Y R E S E R V E - 1986(OS Map ref: NO 508543)

Much activity has taken place on this site in 1986 following the 1986 AGMdecision to take up the option of managing it for wildlife in cooperationwith the Compton family.

1985 was spent examining the site and drawing up a 31-page discussion andplanning document for consideration by the Naturalists' Council and theowners. The Management Plan was largely the product of many hours ofwork by Colin R McLeod. The present trees and shrubs are limited innumber and variety and regeneration is being severely retarded by therabbit population. The Plan recommends speeding up the Quarry's develop-ment into a rich wildlife oasis by creating diverse habitats. Theoriginal scheme (somewhat modified according to the plant material pro-vided) was to plant blocks of light-demanding pioneer shrubs round theperimeter, and to plant discrete areas of trees within the boundaries,leaving open spaces between and retaining dead wood. As native speciesof plants have more insects and other organisms adapted to live on themall introductions were to be of native material.

In 1985 117 flowering plants were listed, including the exciting find, byJoan L Thomson, of the rare adder's tongue fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum).In 1986 a further 15 plants were added to the list, this time includingnorthern marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella). A total of 46 birdspecies have been recorded; 19 species were seen on the officialNaturalists' visit on i November 1986. Further records of birds arevery welcome.

A start has been made on invertebrate recording by Adam Garside (Asst.Keeper of Natural History, Dundee Art Galleries & Museums). Mr Garsidewould welcome assistance in a program of insect trapping and aquatic samp-ling during the season February to November 1987 (tel. 23141, ext. 153).

In 1986 James K Cook discovered an extra pond: instead of the four onthe OS map there are actually five. We plan to hold a members' com-petition in future to endow the ponds with appropriate names instead oftheir present designations: I - 51 So please visit Carsegowniemuir inas many different seasons as possible to discover the ponds' individualcharacters.

On 18/19 October 1986 twenty members assisted at the historic first plant-ings of 225 shrubs and trees. Members provided 25 of these, 50 camefrom Dundee Tree Group, and 150 were bought from a native tree nursery.£200 was generously gifted in 1986 by Society members and this providedposts and plastic mesh protectors for 112 of the plants. The landokmersprovided 200 fertiliser bags for experimental use as weed-suppressingmulches and lent us fencing tools to assist the work. Other tools wereborrowed from members. Tools, technical advice and physical assistancewere generously provided by Charlie Riddell (Hon. Warden, SWT BalgaviesReserve). Many man/woman-hours were put in by able-bodied members inadvance of the planting days developing techniques for penetrating theexceptionally stony ground for post- and planting-holes.

Although /

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AlthOugh by December the new shooting syndicate on the ground had removed50 rabbits from the site the bunnies (with a little help from roe deer)started demolishing all the unprotected shrubs and trees within a fort-night of planting. We have learned that they don't wait until hardweather before starting on a tree diet. We hope that their numbers willbe well down by the end of the winter.

All protected trees have been given a number and records will be kept oftheir species, origin, height at planting and progress.

Activities suggested by the Carsegowniemuir Subcommittee for 1987,subject to funding and manpower becoming available, are:

Establish a pine (with birch and rowan) wood at the exposed andrabbit warren area at the far west end. Introduce some aldersaplings in a wet site.

Weed and water new plants as necessary. Mulch with fresh willow-herb. (Competing grasses can be lethal in the first few yearsespecially in drought conditions.)

Improve paths. (We want these to remain as natural as possiblebut some work is necessary.)

Undertake a program of insect sampling (see text above).

Begin recording established trees - ultimately to number themindividually. (Ideas for permanent labels are required.)

6 Apply spot weedkiller to creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) inorchid marsh.

Finish siting and marking a row of marker posts at 50 metreintervals through the centre of the reserve.

8 Update and further detail site map.

9 Coppice some selected willows on south side of pond I.

10 Erect bat and bird boxes.

11 Hold a plant and book sale on 2 May 1987 at Dorothy Fyffe's house,33 Ireland Street, Carnoustie, to raise money for developments.Any contributions are welcome.

12 Collect seed of native shrubs and trees from wild sites, stratifyand germinate seed in member's gardens for future plantings. (Itis important to label plants with species, site of origin anddate.) Species required: pine, birch, alder, blackthorn, broom,gorse, hazel, rowan, ash, juniper, bird cherry, and heather(Calluna vulgarls) from cuttings of wild stock.

We would like to share the pleasures of creating a wildlife haven with asmany members as possible, so please join in these activities. Selectoÿe /

No

one or several of those on the llst (or suggest others) and let MGD knowyour interests and name and address so she can contact you when theseevents take place.

If you visit the reserve under your own steam and note interestingevents, or something needing attention, please give MGD a note of it.

REFERENCES

"A Management Plan for Carsegownlemuir Quarry", by C R McLeod etal., 2nd ed. March 1986. Available at £I, or on loan, from M GDuncan.

"Carsegowniemuir Quarry", article in Dundee Naturalists' SocietyAnnual Bulletin, No. 9, 1984/5.

"Woodlands", Chapter 3 in A Guide to Habitat Creation, by C Baines& J Smart, 1984. (Available on loan from MGD.)

CARSEGOÿIEMUIR SUBCOMMITTEE FÿMBERS

Convener: Mrs Margaret G Duncan,

37 Windsor Street, Dundee, DD2 IBT, tel: 67479

Mr Alastair J Fraser,3 Adderley Crescent, Monifieth, DD5 4DQ tel: 53 2316

Mrs Joan L Thomson,97 Pitkerro Road, Dundee, DD4 7EE tel: 451733

INTRODUCTIONS, 1986

Betula spCorylus avellanaCrataegus monogynaFraxinus excelsior

flex aquifoliumJuniperus communis

Pinus sylvestrisPotentilla palustrisPrunus avium

Prunus padusPrunus spinosaQuercus spRosa pimpinellifoliaSolanum dulcamaraSorbus aucupariaUlex europaeus

BirchHazelHawthornAshHollyJuniperScots PineMarsh cinquefoilGeanBird cherryBlackthornOakBurnet rose

BittersweetRowanGorse

VASGU LAR /

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VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES SEEN IN CARSEGOÿIEMUIR QUARRY, 1985 & ]986

Habitat: Scrub, dry and wet grassland, stony ground, spoilheaps, permanentand temporary water.

Aeer pseudoplatanusAchilles millefoliumAgropyron repensAlchemilla glabraAphanes arvensis

Anthyllis vulnarariaArrhenatherum elatius

Athyrium filix-femlnaBellis perennisBetula pubescensB. pendulaBriza mediaCaltha palustrisCampanula rotundifollaCallitriehe stagnalis?Cardamlne hirsutaC. pratensis

Carex caryophyllea

C, nigraC. ovalis

C. paniceaC, rostrata

Centaurea nigraCerastium vulgatum

Chamaenerion angustifolium

Chrysanthemum leucantheum

Cirsium arvense

C. palustre

C. vulgare

Crataegus monogyna

Dactylls glomerataDactylorhiza purpurellaDeschampsia caespitosaD. flexuosa

Digitalis purpureaDryopteris borreriD. filix-mas

D. dilitataEleocharis palustrisEpilobium montanum

Equisetum arvensis

E. fluvlatileEropbila verna •

Euphrasia spFestuca ovinaF. rubra

Fragaria vescaFraxinus excelsior

Caleopsis tetrahit

Galium aparlne

G. cruciata

G. verumC. saxatileGeranium dlssectum

G. robertianum

Geum urbanumHeraeleum sphondyllumHieracium pilosellaHolcus lanata

Hypericum pulchrumJuncus eonglomeratus

Lapsana communis

Lathyrus pratensisLinum catharticumLotus eornlculatusLuzula eampestris

L. multlflora

Sycamore Lychnls flos-cucullYarrow Matricarla mÿtricarioidesCouch grass Medlcago lupulinaLady's mantle Myosotis arvensis

Parsley p/eft M. discolorKidney vetch Odontites vernaOat grass Ophioglossum vulgatumLady-fern (200 found 1.6.85 JLT)Daisy Oxalis acetosaBirch Phleum pratenseSilver birch Picea abiesQuaking grass Plantago lanceolataMarsh marigold P. majorHarebell Poa annua

Starwort P. pratensis

Hairy bitter-cressLady's smock Polygonum amphiblum

Spring sedge Polypodium vulgareCommon sedge Potamogeton polygonifolius?Oval sedge Potentilla anserinaCarnation grass P. erectaBottle sedge P. palustrisHardheads Prunella vulgaris

Common mouse-ear Prunus aviumchickweed Ranunculus flammula

Rose-bay willowherb R. repensOx-eye daisy Rhlnanthus minor

Creeping thistle Ribes uva-crispaMarsh thistle Rosa villosaSpear thistle Rubus idaeusHawthorn Rumex acetosella

Cock's foot grass R. acetosa

Northern marsh orchid R. crlspusTufted hair-grass R. obtusifolius

Wavy hair-grass Sagina nodosa

Foxglove Salix spScaly male fern Sambucus racemosaMale fern Senecio lacobaeaBroad buckler fern S. vulgarisCommon spike rush Sherardia arvensis

Broad-leaved Silene dioicawillow-herb Sorbus aucup£ria

Common horsetail Stellaria gramineaWater horsetail S. holostea

S. mediaSpring whitlow grassEyebright Succisa pratensisSheep's fescue Taraxacum officinalis

Red fescue Torills 3aponicaWild strawberry Trifolium arvenseAsh T. campestre

Common hemp-nettle T. dubium

Sticky Willy T. repensCrosswort Ulex europaeas

Urtica dioicaLady's bedstraw

Valerianella locustaHeath bedstraw

Veronica arvensisCut-leaved cranesbill

V. chamaedrysHerb Robert

V. offieinalisHerb Bennet

V. serpylifoliaCow parsley Vicia craccaMouse-ear hawkweed

V. sativa,Yorkshire fog sap angustifoliaSlender St. John's wort

V. sepiumConglomerate rush Viola arvensis

Nipplewort V. caninaMeadow vetchling V. palustrisFairy flax V. rivinlanaBirdsfoot trefoil

V. tricolorField woodrushFmny-headed woodrush

Ragged robinPineapple-weed

Black medickCommon forget-me-not

Changing forget-me-not

Red bartsiaAdder's tongue fern

Wood sorrelTimothy grassNorway spruce

Pdbwort plantainGreater plantainAnnual poa grassSmooth-stalked

meadow grassAmphibious bistortPolypodyBog pondweedSilverweedTormentllMarsh cinquefoilSelfhealGean

Lesser spearwort

Creeping buttercupYellow-rattle

GooseberryDowny roseRaspberrySheep's sorrelSorrelCurled dockBroad-leaved dock

Knotted pearlwortWillowRed-berrled elder

Ra£wortGroundsel

Field madderRed campionRowan

Lesser stitchwort

Creater stitehwortChickweedDevil's-bit scablous

DandelionUprlght hedge-parsleyHare's-foot trefoil

Hop trefoilLesser yellow trefoilWhite cloverWhinStinging nettleLamb's lettuce

Wall speedwellGermander speedwell

Common speedwellThyme-leaved speedwellTufted vetchCommon vetch

Bush vetchField pansyHeath violetMarsh violetCommon violet

Wild pansy

NON-VASCU lÿIR /

ii.

NON-VASCULAR PLANTS, 1985

Agaricus campestrisAmanita croceaBovista nigrescens (a few)Clitocybe dicolor (i)Clitocybe sp (3) ÿhite ÿt]i

wavy capmargin and sweet smell, eitherC. phyllophila or C. dealbata

Collybia erythropus (several)Coprinus sp. on willowCortinarius sp. (i)Dacrsÿyces deliquescensFomes fomentarius (1)Galerina hypnorum (several)Hygrocybe coccinea (several)H. nigrescens (3)H° citrinus sensu J. Lange

chrome yellow wax cap (1)(?Ho glutinipes)(not mentionedin Phillips)

Laccaria laccata (several)Lepiota rhacodes (])Lycoperdon perlatum (a few)Mycena polygramma (a few)Nectria peziza or Dacr)ÿyces

stillatus (on one branch)Omphalina postii (several) in mossPanaeolus foenisecii (several)p. rickenii (i)p. semiovatus (])Phallus impudicus (20)Piptoporus betulinusPsilocybe semilanceata (6)Stropharia semiglobata (i)Tremella mesenterica (1)Xylaria hypoxylon

MÿiALS, 1985Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaea)Mole (Talpa europaea)(hills)Bats (at cottage)Rabbit (Oryctolagus cunleulus)Field vole (Microtus agrestis)

(runs)Fox (Vulpes ÿipes)(droppings only)Common rat (Rattus norvegicus)

(burrows in active use)Badger (Meles meles)

(reported as occasional)Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

(droppings)

INVERTEBRATES, 1985Insects

AntsBumble beesClick beetlesCrane fliesEa rwig sGround beetlesGrasshoppersHoverfliesLacewingLady bird (Coccinella 7-punctata)PseudowaspsSawfly larvaeCommon blue butterfly

(Polyommatus icarus)>ÿeadow broom (]ÿanio]a jurtina)Ruby tÿger moth caterpillar(Phragmatobia fuliginosa)

Small tortoiseshell butterfly(Aglais urticae)

Small heath (Coenonÿpha pamphilus)Painted lady butterflyGreen veined white butterfly

LichensEvernia prunastriPeltlgera canlna

REPTILES/AMPHIBIACommon frog (Rana temporarla)Palmate newts (Triturus helveticus)

OtherHarvestmen

SpidersMillipedesCentipedes (Lithoblus)Water flea (Daphnia)Water mite

FISH, 1985Perch (Perca fluvlatills)

Mollus__ÿm /

12.

MolluscsSlugs (Arion ater)

(A. hortensis)Cepaeasnall (shell only)Aquatic snail (Lymnaea peregra)

(shells only)

BIRDS, 1985 & 1986

INVERTEBRATES, 1986Stomis pumlcatusBadister bipustulatusAgonum alblpesHypnoidus rlparlusCastrophysa polygoniByrrhus pi]ulaStenus junoAgriotes obscurusPhi!onthus deeorusPhyllobius pyri

Nebria brevicollisPterostlchus madidusQuedius curtipennisStaphylinus aeneocephalusOthius punctulatusXantholinus linearisAleochara rufieornlsQuedius molochinusCatops fuliginosusCatops morioNargus velox]ÿicropÿplus staphyllnoidesCatops nigricansOlophrum piceumTachinus collarisTachinus laticolllsLesteva longoielytrataLathrimaeum uni€olorOmalium caesumAcidota cruentataStenus clavicornisLongitarsus melanoeephalusLoricera pilicornis]]egasternum boletophagumAphodlus prodromusTrechus quadristriatusAnacaena globulusAgabus guttatusPterostichus nigrita

BlackbirdBlackheaded gullBlue titBullfinchCarrion crow

ChaffinchCommon gullCurlewDunnockFieldfareFeral pigeonGreenfinchGreat titHeron

Herring gullJackdawLapwingLinnetMallardMeadow pipitMistlethrushMoorhen

Owl (Tawny)OystercatcherPartridgePheasant

Pied wagtailRedpollRedwingRoblnRookSkylarkSongthrushSpotted flycatcherStarlingsSwallowTufted duck

eatearinchatitethroat

Willow warblerWood warblerWood pigeonWren

Yellow hammer(Golden plover) Nearby(Lapwing) "

T h__ee /

13.

T_ÿ BURREN - A BOTANICAL WONDERLAND

All keen botanists have heard of the Burren, so the chance to visit this areaof the Irish Republic in summer 1986 along with three fellow enthusiasts was not tobe missed.

To anyone who hasn't seen an area of limestone pavement before, the first impressÿ:ion of the Burren hills is decidedly unpromising. 1,100' heaps of bare, grey stonerise out of the mist - no trees, no green pastures. On closer inspection howevernarrow strips of vegetation become apparent which, in July, were bright with BloodyCranesbill, Lady's Bedstraw, Fragrant Orchid and Burnet Rose. A walk on the pave-:ment itself revealed hidden surprises in the shelter of the grykes - Hart's Tongueand Rustyback Ferns, Honeysuckle, Juniper etc.

But the real attraction of this area is the assemblage of plants normally foundin Arctic or Alpine regions growing alongside those normally associated with Mediterr-:anean countries. Thus the Mountain Avens and Spring Gentian from cold habitats arefound growing alongside Maidenhair Fern and Dense-flowered Orchid from much warmerclimes. Ferns, orchids, parasitic and insectiverous plants - they are all here ifyou look in the right places. The Moonwort Fern hides beside a rock and the BeeOrchid can be found at the roadside, but the later flowering Dark Red Helleborinemust be searched for higher up on the limestone pavement itself. Wild Thyme is thehostÿplant for Lesser Dodder, Eyebright and Broomrape, whilst a dripping wet rockfaceis the place to look for the rare Greater Butterwort with its large purple flowers.

Naturally there are many lime-loving plants such as Squinancywort, Dropwort andYellow-wort (another member of the Gentian family), also the rarer Hoary Rock rose andShrubby Cinquefoil. It comes as a surprise to find the familiar acid-loving Ling andTormentil flourishing nearby until you realise that they are growing in a peaty pocketamongst the limestone.

If by any chance you should weary of this floral profusion you can always visitplaces with wonderful names like Kilfenora and Liadoonvarna, or search out a lonelydolmen or prominent prehistoric ring-fort. Ruined churches abound and ancientgraveyards conceal impressive 13th century high crosses; there are castles and caves,tombs and towers. So if you have found this article of interest and don't know whereto go in 1987, I suggest you try "across the sea to Ireland". Even if it is wetterthe rain is warmer!

Joan L. Thomson

WE REMEMBER THEM

Death has claimed several members in 1986. Miss Christine McLanders died inOctober, then Miss Violet A. Wilson died on 3rd November, and only one day later,Mrs. Irene Chudek. On Boxing Day came the death of Miss Muriel Sutherland.

Sympathy is extended too, to Mr. and Mrs. Alex. McNicoll and their daughterMorag. Morag's husband Bruce Foreman died last summer.

Three long-standing members ended their connection with the Society during the year -Miss Helen MacAra, Duncraig, 3 Glamis Road, Dundee, and Mr.James" and Mrs. MargaretBraithwaite, la Bridge Street, Barnhill. Mrs. Braithwaite tells us she Joined backin 1937 or 1938 and was on the council for several years.

Sympathy to Mrs. Jean Petrie who has been forced to give up her duties helping tolook after the bus parties because of foot trouble. Meanwhile Mrs. Ina Fraser issoldiering on.

14.

THINKING o_ÿSU]ÿMER?

The Society's council has put together a varied programme for the open-airseason, starting with a visit to Aberdeen's Duthie Park Botanic Garden and Hazelheadon April 25th. It's off to the Falls of Bruar on May 9th, and up Glen Lednock onMay 30th. June 13th brings a visit to the Longhaven Cliffs in Aberdeenshire. Thejoint outing with the Edinburgh Naturalists' Society will be to Beecraigs CountryPark, in the woods and hills above Linlithgow on June 27th. The Lomonds are thedestination on July llth. Glen Mark will be explored on July 25th, then Bachnagairnin Glen Clova on August 8th, before embarking for Inchcolm in the Forth and walkingto Cramond on August 22nd. Montrose fish-tagging, Kinnaber Links, Montrose, is thesubject for Septe@ber 12th, and the final day outing is to Killiecrankie on September26th.

Evening events start on June 2rid with a visit to Carsegowniemuir. Still inJune, on the 23rd, the Liebsahers will show us a Tayport wild garden, plus a look-inat Morton Lochs. On July 14th St. Andrews University Botanic Garden will be thevenue.

Weekend outings are planned to Galashiels leaving on May 22nd, and to the SYHAhostel at Glen Clova on September 5th.

SOME TREES in the HIGHLANDS

For anyone with an interest in trees, a holiday in the Inverness area is wellworthwhile, as the city is a good centre from which to visit both natural forest andestates with fine planted specimen trees.

Until the 18th century the Scottish Highlands were almost completely covered byScots pine forest, mixed with mainly birch in the east and containing more oak in thewest. Most of the remaining fragments of the eastern central-type Caledonian forestare within easy reach of Inverness - on Speyside and the Cairngorms, and in the Glensleading off Strathglass to the west of the city, notably Glen Affric. This lattersite is now conserved by the Forestry Commission and is probably the most famousexample; but smaller examples of the ancient forest can be seen in other nearbyGlens too, notably Strathfarrar where much of the pinewood is now a National NatureReserve. It is interesting to note the prevalence of birchwoods on the south-facingslopes of these west-east running glens, while the pine forest is found mainly onnorth-facing slopes. In Glen Affric this difference has been attributed to localdifficulties in extracting the timber, but it seems probable that climatic or sollfactors have also influenced the distribution of the forest. Sadly, outside the mainareas of forest where exclosures have been erected to fence out deer and sheep, thereis little regeneration, and some fine areas of native pinewood west of the Strath-:farrar NNR boundary, and in neighbouring Glen Cannich, will be bare moorland in afew decades after the existing elderly trees have died.

Although any continuing decline of the Caledonian pine forest in this area isnow due to ÿglect and bad landomanaÿement rather than direct forest clearance, thesame cannot be said for the birchwoods. In Strathglass especially, large areas ofsemi-natural birchwoods are still being cleared or ring-barked by commercial forestrycompanies, the timber being sold for firewood or simply left to rot while the newyoung conifers grow up all around.

The 18th century landowners and clan chiefs, desperate for cash, were largelyresponsible for the present bare moorland landscape over most of the Highlands, byselling the natural forest in hundreds of thousands of acres to timber merchants whocleared the trees to provide timber for ship-building or, more often, fuel to smeltthe iron for the cannons that would arm the ships. The hills were then stocked withsheep and later unnaturally high numbers of red deer, whose browsing, together withmoorburning, prevented any return of the forest. However, the descendants of theselandowners and the new landowning wealthy middle class a century later, began toreverse the trend of deforestation, at least on the land immediately around theirhomes and shooting lodges.

It /

15.

It is these 19th century plantings that are now of such interest to present-day tree enthusiasts. The planters were keen to experiment with exotic speciesthat had been discovered in the New World and East Asia only a few years earlier.Doubtless many of their introductions failed and went unrecorded. A few, such asE oÿÿÿ flourished so well as to assume pest proportions in some areas.And many of the trees, particularly conifers from America's Pacific north-west coastwhich has a similarly wet and windy climate to the Scottish Highlands also did ex-:tremely well, sometimes showing faster growth-rates than in their native lands.Two of the three sites holding Britain's tallest trees - Guisachan Estate and ReeligGlen - are within easy reach of Inverness (the third site is the Hermitage at Dun-:keld). In each case the land is now in the hands of the Forestry Commission, andthe tallest tree is invariably a Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii, although theactual record-holder can change from year to year.

So suitable is the Highland climate that the Douglas fir and a number of otherconifers including European larch Larix decidua, Western hemlock T_.suga heterophxÿlaand various true firs Abies spp. all regenerate freely from self-sown seed atGuisachan, Reelig and elsewhere, but rarely the Norway spruce Picea abies - Highlandwinters are usually too moist to allow the ripe cones to open to shed their seed.The Highland climate and poor soils also account for the extensive monocultures ofSitka spruce Picea sitchensis and Lodgepole pine Pinug contorta which are now beingplanted over vast areas of moorland - these two North American species are betterable to grow well in such conditions than could the native Scots pine in its degrad-:ed homeland. However, at the Culbin Forest east of Inverness, even the Corsicanpine P__iiusÿigra var. maritima regenerates easily along with the Scots pine, on whatwas once arid shifting sand-dunes, an example of what can be achieved in forestrywith enough effort.

Ouisachan and Reelig are just two of many Victorian estates with collections ofmainly North American conifers. Even large gardens aspired to a few Sierra red-:woods Sequoiadendron giganteum, and amongst numerous specimens in the area isBritain's tallest, at Strathpeffer. Many other trees in East Ross are also Britain'sbest specimens in either height or girth, some of them quite rare.

A wide selection of species can be seen at Lael Forest Garden, which should notbe missed despite its distance from Inverness. Over 150 species are grown here bythe Forestry Commission, often on an experimental basis to test their forestrypotential, and even the unsuccessful ones whose trials have been discontinued are ofgreat interest to tree enthusiasts.ÿ

Although the broadleaved trees of the region are generally less noteworthy thanthe conifers, some fine specimens can be found in estates and gardens, and even somewhich are not native locally, such as the beech Faÿus sylvatica grow easily fromseed. Probably the best site to see old hardwoods is at Brahan Estate, with superbavenues of mature oak and venerable specimens of Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus andother species, including Britain's lÿrgest (but not tallest) Wych elm Ulmus glabra.Not far away, at Castle Leod, Strathpeffer, is Britain's oldest known specimen ofSweet chestnut, Caÿtanea sativa, planted in 1550. While the broadleaved trees mayrarely achieve record-breaking size in the Highlands, they have had a great influenceon the local folklore, and are often commemorated in Gaelic place-names.

Colin R. McLeod

SUMFARY /

16.

INCOME:Brought Forward 15/2/86

Subscriptions - 1985/6 £26.001986/7

SUMPÿRY o_f ACCOUNTS !5_ÿh FEBRUARYI_Ig_Sfÿ.EXPENSFS:

£273 .92 Stationery

327. 50Printing (Syllabuses) and

duplicating (Bulletin etc.)

£9. 48

158. 80

Bank Interest

i. 74

16. 15

Subscriptions:(a) Scottish Rights of Way

Society £ 5.00and donation 2ÿ00

£ 7.0O(b) Habitat 5.00(c) SWT

Insurance

University of DundeeRental: Jan/Mar.1986

Oct/Dec.1986Donation in lieu of rent -

Chaplaincy Centre (AGM)

_ÿ_gs: ReceYered from SWTand RSPB

£ 50.0050.00

£ ii0.00

Lecturers' Fees and expenses

Donation to Carsegownlemuir Pundas authorised by AGM 1986

Posts

Offlce-bearers' telephone expenses

Miscellaneous

Cash in bank(a) Service Account(b) Investment Account(c) Cheque Account

Cash in hand

£ 6.48121.62

£ 128.48

War Stock Interest

27. O0

40. oo

94. 75

74. 40

50. O0

27. 80

5.41

3. O0

128. 67

SUMMER OUTINGS ACCOUNT

Total IncomeExpenditure

Balance from February 1986

In TSB Monifieth 15/2/87

£1512. 50

£2. 58

SPRING WEEKEND (Newtonmore)

Total IncomeExpenditure

Balance from February 1986

Bank Interest November 1986

In TSB "Weekend" Account

£2003. O0202_ £21. 06

£65. 348, 90

CARSEGOWNIEMUIR FUND

Donations from members1' general funds

Collected at AGM 1986" Meeting 6/1/87

Dr. D.A. Robertson - Lecture Fee donated

Purchase of Trees, wire netting etc.

Bank Interest November 1986

In TSB "Carsegownimmuir" Account 15/2/87

£159. 5750. O020. 75i. 57

£241. 89

£ 39. 98